I am just curious about the SW history.

Does anyone know if the names are intened to be the pilots given name or a fighter pilot nick name?

i'd say nicknames... if you look up the old swccg from decipher you can find cards from all the pilots with a short blurb. This one says it's a nickname..

for example here is backstabbers:

Howlrunner is a call sign for Civé Rashon a female pilot.

They are essentially callsigns, not nicknames. In any event, they aren't intended to be given names.

Callsigns.

Who would name their kid Backstabber? Night Beast?

Actually, now that I think about it...I need to go talk to my wife.

The Empire is filled with angsty kids it seems...

-Cal

PS: Love the forum handle. I ride a 1970 R75/5

They are essentially callsigns, not nicknames. In any event, they aren't intended to be given names.

i think their callsigns are more along the lines of: "DS-61-3". Backstabber is a nickname, it actually says that on his card...

They are essentially callsigns, not nicknames. In any event, they aren't intended to be given names.

i think their callsigns are more along the lines of: "DS-61-3". Backstabber is a nickname, it actually says that on his card...

That sounds more like a service number. If anything, their callsign would be "Black One," "Black Two," etc. if the nicknames weren't being used.

"You've got one on your tail, DS-61-3!" just doesn't work so well. Can you imagine memorizing those for your entire squadron?

Who would name their kid Backstabber? Night Beast?

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10523288

Mithel is his real name, "Mauler" is his callsign. Other than that, they're all callsigns.

Night Beast is a nickname his superiors gave him for constantly breaking curfew.

I'm not kidding.